Trinidad and Tobago Odyssey

One of the best ways to experience Trinidad and Tobago is in a small group of like-minded people with a local guide. There’s always something happening, lots to see and do, and the guide brings a wealth of insight about the islands and their people, as well as taking care of logistics as you travel. 

Trinidad and Tobago Odyssey has been designed to make a memorable and relaxing holiday with a leaning towards wildlife, landscape and local cultures.

Day 1 

You are met on arrival at Trinidad’s Piarco airport by your local guide and driven to our chosen guesthouse in Port of Spain, our base for the next six nights.

Day 2 BL

Escorted sightseeing in Port of Spain, including the Magnificent Seven, a visit to the Botanical Gardens, a stroll along the Brian Lara Promenade in the heart of the Downtown area, and a call by the Oval Cricket Ground. You’ll have the chance to sample some local culinary favourites: a fusion of influences from Africa, India and the other communities that have settled here, and fresh tropical fruit drinks. For shoppers there are fabrics, tie-dye tropical fashions, batik swimwear, spices, hot sauces, rum, coffee, preserves, Caribbean music CDs, and more. In the run up to Carnival, from January to mid February, there are opportunities to see costume making, and calypso and steel pan practice sessions.

Day 3 BL

This morning we head out of the city, driving south to visit the Pointe-à-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust, then the city of San Fernando - a maze of hilly winding streets built around San Fernando Hill from which there are great views in all directions. We continue south to one of Trinidad’s most curious geological phenomena, the Pitch Lake.

Day 4 BL

Today you’ll be able to practise one of two main Trinbagonian pastimes. We either go on a River Lime, when friends and families spend the day relaxing and bathing at a scenic riverside spot, perhaps by a waterfall, with a big pot to cook lunch. Great fun and a good opportunity to enjoy forest plants, butterflies and birdsong too. Or Feting if our visit coincides with one of the many Trinidadian religious festivities. Based on African or Indian traditions, fetes usually take place on the street with lots of music, dancing and food fresh-cooked by stall holders.

In mid afternoon we take boats through Caroni Swamp, following channels in the mangrove forest to wide lagoons to see Trinidad’s most famous wildlife spectacle when lines of Scarlet Ibis fly in to roost.

Day 5 BL

An early start to spend a full day at the world famous Asa Wright Nature Centre in the lush rainforest of the Northern Range’s Arima Valley.

Day 6 BL

Today we visit the Chaguaramas Peninsula, taking a pirogue, ‘down de islands’ to nearby Gaspar Grande and the impressive Gasparee Caves. We return to the mainland for a late lunch at The Anchorage an elegant open-air restaurant with views out across the natural harbour with cruising yachts at their moorings. Afternoon free in Port of Spain.

Day 7 BL

An early start as we head for the magnificently wild East Coast, driving alongside long palm-backed beaches from Manzanilla to Mayaro. Here we visit Nariva Swamp and Bush Bush Nature Reserve.

If conditions are right we may be invited on a short kayak trip with a ranger from the Manatee Conservation Trust to an observation tower to glimpse these shy, gentle mammals that once fuelled rumours of mermaids. In the afternoon we follow the east coast northwards to the quiet village of Grande Riviere, where we stay for two nights at Mount Plaisir Estate one of the best places to see leatherback turtles.

Day 8 B 

Today you can make a ‘wet’ river walk through the forest along the shingle bed of the shallow, clear Shark River, or simply relax at the beach in anticipation of a night’s turtle watching (Mar-Aug).

Day 9 B

A drive to Piarco airport for the short flight to Tobago. From here we take the Atlantic coast road to Speyside our new base for the next six nights at the Speyside Inn. Rest of the day free.

Day 10 BL 

This morning a glass-bottomed boat carries us across Tyrell’s Bay to Little Tobago Island. As we return to Speyside we pause to see the largest brain coral in the world and the Japanese Gardens coral reef, either through the boat’s glass floor, or if preferred, by snorkelling (equipment can be hired on the boat).

We take a late lunch at Jemma’s Tree House, a famous local restaurant built into an almond tree on the seafront with views across the bay to Goat Island and Little Tobago. In the afternoon we’ll drive over a forested mountain ridge passing from the Atlantic to the Caribbean shore to see Charlotteville - a pretty fishing village and the last point on the paved road.

Day 11 B 

A free day to relax at Speyside, at the beach, exploring local shops, watching for manta rays off the village jetty, walking or birding. Snorkelling and novice diving can usually be arranged locally.

Day 12 BL 

This morning we follow the Gilpin Trace nature trail into the Tobago Forest Reserve. We’ll see bright red heliconias, palms, lianas, epiphytes perched in the trees, multicoloured butterflies, leafcutter ants, land crabs, perhaps even bats that fly by day, and some of Tobago’s 3,000 species of orchids. There are many beautiful songbirds to be found here including the rare White-tailed Sabre-wing hummingbird. After a picnic lunch in the forest there’s a gentle walk along a riverside path passing mighty stands of bamboo to reach the Argyll Waterfall. It is possible to bathe in the cool waters at the foot of the falls, and clamber by the side of the stepped cascade if you wish.

Day 13 BL

Today we explore fishing villages and dramatic scenery along Tobago’s western shore, starting with pristine Bloody Bay then continuing southwards, to Parlatuvier and Castara Bay. We may have the chance to watch local fishermen land a catch as they haul in their seine nets. We’ll visit Arnos Vale and return to Speyside.

Day 14 BL 

This morning we head to the south of the island to enjoy soft white sands and calm turquoise waters at Pigeon Point. We take another glass bottomed boat, this time to where we can bathe in the warm waist deep water of the Nylon Pool. There is an option of snorkelling at Buccoo Reef. The boat returns to Pigeon Point in time for lunch and photographs of this classic palm-fringed Caribbean beach complete with thatched jetty. Rest of the day free at Pigeon Point.

Day 15 BT

Transfer from Speyside to Tobago’s Crown Point airport for the short flight back to Trinidad. We’ll call by Pax Guest House on Mount St Benedict for a celebratory high tea before returning to the airport for international flights home.

15 days/14 nights.  Grade: Easy.  Group size: 4 to 12.  Starts/ends Saturday. 

Can't make these dates? We offer a similar itinerary for independent travellers to suit any date of departure - see Independent Trinidad & Tobago Odyssey.

GROUP SIZE: 2 to 12 people. A substantially similar 'reserve itinerary' applies if less than 4 people.

INCLUDED: all travel in Trinidad & Tobago, services of experienced local guides, all accommodation (6 nights guest house, 2 nights tourist lodge, 6 nights hotel), meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch). 4 lunches and 14 dinners are not included, allow £200 spending money for these. While in Speyside we stay at the Speyside Inn.

NOT INCLUDED: international flights, travel insurance, visa fees, vaccinations, Ecuador departure tax, items of a personal nature e.g. drinks, tips, laundry, room service, phone calls, optional excursions, hotel porterage, meals other than those stated as included, drinks other than those provided. Any meals and drinks you take in place of those provided are, of course, at your own expense.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS (and how to avoid them): Our standard tour prices for small group trips are per person based on two adults sharing twin-bed rooms where applicable. Hotels charge extra for single occupancy. We think this is unfair in the context of a group holiday and we will absorb this extra cost ourselves if you are willing to share with another person of the same sex in the group - regardless of whether there is another person to share with you.

(If you prefer a room to yourself and are not willing to share then you do need to pay the single supplement.)

YOUR FINANCIAL SECURITY: This tour is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.